This is a variegated variety but the information is the same for both varieties. Opuntia cochenillifera, also known as the Cochineal Cactus, is a species of cactus in the subfamily Opuntioideae. It forms shrubby or treelike cacti with broadly cylindrical trunks and branches composed of elliptic to narrowly obovate joints. The stem segments are green with small white wooly areoles without spines or nearly so. Produces pink to deep red flowers at the top of the uppermost joints, usually in winter. The flowers are erect, up to 2.8 inches (7 cm) long and 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) in diameter. The fruits are ellipsoid with well-distributed areoles, up to 1.6 inches (1.4 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, and contain tiny tan to gray seeds. The cactus is host to cochineal insects, which produce carminic acid used to make red dye. The pads and fruit are edible and used medicinally.
Prefers full sun. Requires very little water, typical of desert cacti. Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a to 11b (from 20Ā°F (-6.7Ā°C) to 50Ā°F (+10Ā°C)). Well-draining cactus or succulent mix.
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Ships as a bare stem cutting. We take great care in packaging our plants and problems have always been VERY rare. Though our current shop is new, we have close to 10 years of experience shipping plants.Ā It is up to you to know the conditions that these plants grow in the part of the country you reside. If your plant arrives rotting or dead, I will replace it for you.
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Heat packs are available for purchase with your item to use if cold weather is expected at the time of shipment. (Link to Heat Pack:bit.ly/40ugd4JĀ )Ā Keep in mind some plants we carry are very tropical and even cold, not freezing, temperatures can kill them. I will cancel any order I feel won't make it safely to its destination without freezing. šIF YOU EXPECT COLD WEATHER, PLEASE PURCHASE A HEAT PACK!š I don't make any profit off of them because they are a necessary shipping item in winter.
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Care Instructions are included with your order. Donāt hesitate to reach out to me for any extra advice you may require. We want you to be successful with our babies!Ā If you have any questions about this item or others, please message me and I will gladly answer them.
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Items cannot be shipped to CALIFORNIA or ARIZONA due to state import laws. Any orders from these states will be canceled. My apologies for this inconvenience.
